Material-feeding means



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PATEN'r OFFICE.

HERBERT L. MERBICK, 0F PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY.

MATEBIAL-FEEDING MEANS.

Application filed August 13, 1924. Serial No. 731,711.

This invention relates to means for feeding material in predetermined quantities, as byV measure or Weight, for use in feeding aggregatesor component parts of a composition of matter or association of parts, such as the feeding of aggregates in cement making to a point or place where they are to be subjected to treatment to be reduced to a pulverized state, and it is an object of the invention to provide improved means for this purpoe which is adapted to feed variable predetermined quantities of material at a constant rate or intermittently at predetermined intervals.

Itis another object of the invention to provide weighing mechanism for this purpose whereby the Vmaterial while being transported, as by a conveyor, from a source of supply to its place of use is `weighed and eltecting the delivery of a predetermined uniform quantity of material per 'unit of conveyor length for a given unit of time and the constant speed of travel of the conveyor by conl 'trolling the discharge or feeding of material from a hopper tc the conveyor.

It isA a further object of the invention to provide improved means for regulating the discharge of material from a hopper to a travelling conveyor controlled by weighing mechanism arranged to Support a portion of the conveyor with a load being transportedl thereby, such regulating means for the discharge of the material being controlled by and in accordance with the deflection of the weighing beam Without interference with the movement or loading of said beam.

It is another object of the invention to pro'- vide an adjustable closure for theoutlet of a hopper with regnlatable means for said closure to vary the discharge of material from said hopper to a travelling conveyor controlled by and in accordance with variations in the load carried by the conveyor through an axial movable rotatable member having connection with the closure and the axial direction of travel of lsaid rotatable member being controlled by and in accordance with the movement of the Weighing mechanism to overload or underload position by variations in the load transported by the conveyor.v

Another object of the invention'relates to means for feeding materials from different sources of supply to a common place of use and the delivery of said materials in redetermined variable proportional quantities one relative to the other with means to control the delivery of one uantity of material by the delivery of a pre etermined quantityy of another material.

A further object of the invention relates to the provision in material carrying conveyors ofv means operable to control the quantity of material delivered by one conveyor in predetermined proportion to the quantity of material delivered by another conveyor.

It is a further object of the invention to provide material feeding means including a pair of conveyors and Weighing mechanism to determine the load transported thereby, with means to determine the load transported by one lconveyor by the rate of speed of travel ot the conveyor and the load transported thereby, and said means being operative whenga predetermined quant-ity of material has been transported over the Weighing mechanism to set another conveyor in operation, and the quantity of material transported by said latter conveyor being controlled by the load thereon by the Weighing mechanism associated therewith, the quantity of material delivered by said latter conveyor being in' redetermined proportion to the quantity o material delivered by the first conveyor.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In carrying out the invention I provide a conveyor, such as an endless belt, to transport material delivered thereto from a suitable source, such as' a hopper having an outlet arranged in superposed relation thereto, the material discharged from the hopper being` regulated by an adjustable closure or gate to vary the area of the hopper outlet, and the adjustment of such closure being effected automatically by and in accordance with the load or quantity of material upon the conveyor. To adjust said closure a weighing beam is provided arranged with means to support a' portion of the conveyor,y and the deflection of the weighing beam controlling the extent and direction of movement of an axially movable rotatable member having connection with the closure for the hopper outlet to 'position said closure to regulate from,

the area of the hopper outlet, the movement of said rotatable member being controlled by a member having frictional contact there- With and traveling normally in a direct-ion substantially at right angles to the axis of the rotatable member and adapted to be adjusted by and in accordance with the deflection of the weighing beam to change the direction of travel thereof in angular relation to the axis of the axially movable member and thereby exert a thrust upon said axially movable member to move the same axially the direction of travel of said axially movable member being controlled by the angular relation of the friction travelling member to the axially movable member and the deflection of the beam to overload or underload position.

To feed one material .from a source of supply to the place of use in predetermined proportion to the feeding of another material from a source of supply to the place of use there is provided a second conveyor with weighing mechanism arranged to suspend and support a portion of the conveyor theresaid conveyor preferably being driven at a constant rate of speed and the. weight of the transported load determined by integrating means operative by the rate of speed of the conveyor and the load transported thereby, means being provided which is operative when a predetermined load has been transported by the conveyor to said means in operation to actuate the other conveyor mechanism, and set means being operative to stop said conveyor mechanism after a predetermined length of travel of the conveyor.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification there is shown an embodiment of the invention wherein Figure 1 is a. perspective view looking at the side and from the front of the means for regulating the delivery of material to one conveyor to feed variable predetermined loads, only a portion of the conveyor means being shown.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the feeding means shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sid/ elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 2 with the driving means for the conveyor removed.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the feeding means shown in Figure 1 looking at the side and rear.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 8 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the gearing shown in Figure 5 for adjusting the counterpoise relative to a weighing beam of the weighing mechanism and for adjusting the closure for the outlet of a hopper for delivering material to the conveyor.

Figure 7 is a perspective view looking at the rear and side opposite to that shown in Figure et with the conveyor and the hopper for delivering material to the conveyor removed.

-Figure 8 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1 and showing in addition thereto the hopper for delivering the material to the conveyor and showing the manner of supporting a portion of the conveyor from a weighing beam.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a weighing lever or beam from 'which to support a portion of the material carrying conveyor and showing in section counterpoise weight adjustably mounted on the beam for adjusting the same to counterbalance variable predetermined loads carried by the conveyor.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Figure 9 looking in the direction of the arrows.

lFigure 11 is an end elevation looking at the left of Figure 2 and showing the conveyor in section.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of change speed gearing for driving the conveyor at different speeds.

Figure 13 is a perspective view to show the manner of suspending a portion of the conveyor from the weighlng beam shown in Figure 9.

Figure 14 is a side eleva-tion, partly in section, of the change speed gearing shown in Figure 12 to show the manner of meshing different gears to drive the conveyor at different speeds. y

Figure 15 is a side elevation of a friction driven drum forming a part of means to adjust the closure for the outlet of the hopper from which materialis delivered to the conveyor shown in Figure 8, the same being shown partly in section to show the mounting thereof on a shaft to permit of longitudinal movement of the drum while participating in the rotative movement of the shaft.

Figure 16 is a-cross sectional view taken substantially `on the line 16-16 of Figure 15 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 17 is a dissembled view, partly in section` of the right hand end of the drum shown in Figure 15 to show themeans and manner of mounting the drum upon its support and rotating shaft.

Figure 18 is an end elevation, partly broken away, to show the driving means for the drum carrying shaft shown in Figure 15 and to.actuate a limit switch.

Figure 19 is a sectional view in side elevation of the 'driving means shown in Figure 18 looking at the right thereof and showing the drum supporting shaft in relation thereto.

Figure 20 is an end elevation, partly in section, of differential driving gearing'forming a part of the gearing shown in Figure 6.

Figure 21 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 21-21 of Figure 20 looking in the direction of the arrows. Y

Figure 22 is an end elevation of a limit switch used inconnect-ion with the feeding means with a portion of the enclosing housing therefor removed.

Figure 23 is a side elevation of the time switch shown in Figure 22 looking at the left of said figure with the'enclosing hous- ,ing therefor in sect-ion.

Figure 24 is a plan vlew showing in a diagrammatic manner an installation of the feeding apparatus for feeding one mater1al in predetermined proportional relatlon to the feeding of a quantity of another material. A

Figure 25 is a front elevation of weighing mechanism arranged to suspend and suport a portion of one of the conveyors shown 1n Figure 24 and having combined therewith integrating means for determining the quantity of material transported by the conveyor by the speed rate of travel of the conveyor and the load-carried thereby; and

Figure 26 is a diagrammatic view'of .an electric circuit lmeans cont-rolled by the 1ntegrating means of one feeding means to control the actuation of the time switch and the actuating of the other conveyor. y

Similar characters of reference designate like parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

In the embodiment of the feeding mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 23 inclusive, the -material handling conveyor comprises an endless belt B passino' around a pair of drums 27, 27 journalel in bearings 28, 28 mounted on sills 29, 29 of the framework to travel in the direction of the arrow, and to one of which drums, in the present instance the drum 27 driving means, such as an electric motor M, is operatively connected in a manner and for a purpose to .be hereinafter described. The drum bearings 28 are fixed upon the sills while the sills 28 for the 'drum 27 are mounted to have adjustment in a direction to move the drum toward and away from-the drum 27. The bearings 28 with-the drum are urged in a direction away from the drum 27 by a counterweight 30 suspended from one end of a cable 31 passing over a sheave 32 and the opposite end con- 'nected to a sheave 33 iixed to a shaft 34 journaled in bearings uponthe sills. The counterweight is connectedl to' the drum bearing 28 by cables 35 connected at one end to the bearings 28 and the opposite ends connected to sheaves or drums 36 on the shaft 34. TheJ movement of the drum bearings 28 is limited by stops 37 The cables 35 may be arranged with turn buckles'to extend or 'shorten the same. By this arrangement the conveyor beltjwhile maintained taut is permitted to have yielding movement conveyor and co sequent pullin strain upon the conveyor. he upper stretc of the conveyor is also supported by rollers 38 rotatab y carried by standards fixed to and extending upward from the sills, and a ortion or section of the conveyor interme iate a pair of said rollers is suspended by a roller 39 rotatably carried at the ends by a pair of links 40 pivot-ally suspended from lever arms 41 rigid with a rocker `bar 42 pivotally v supported upon standards 43 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 13) fixed upon a standard in the form of a. shelf 43 superposed to the conveyor. The arms 41 extend laterally of and in parallel relation to the conveyor and in a direction opposite to that in which the conveyor travels. The rocker bar 42, arms 41, links 40 and roller 39 form a part of means to counterbalance the vload upon the-conveyor,` which is in the nature of Weighing mechanism, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The material to be fed by the conveyor is delivered thereto from a hopper H having an outlet arranged in superposed relation to theconveyor with guide ports 45 (Figures 2, 3 and 8) extending forwardly from Said outlet in the direction of travel of the con-` veyor from opposite sides of the'hopper outlet above and in contiguous relation to the the hop er outlet to regulatethe area thereof and ischarge of material. from the hopper, said closure being mounted at opposite ends in slideways formed in the opposite walls of the hopper to have vertical sliding movement.

To handle and feed a predetermined quantity of materia-l by the conveyor,. and to vary said quantity at will, means are provided to automatically adjust the`closure to vary the area of the hopper outlet and regulate the discharge of material from the hopper to the conveyor to handle a predetermined uniform quantity of material by the conveyor per unit of conveyor length for a given unit of time with a constant speed of travel of the conveyor and the load carried v nected to a lever arm 50 rigld with the rocker CTI bar 42 and extending therefrom in parallel relation to the arms 41 thereby suspending a portion of the load therefrom through the conveyor supporting roller 39 suspended from the rockerarms 41 by the links 40. The one end of the weighing beam may be arranged with a compensating weight support and to counterbalance a load of predetermined weight upon the conveyor by the weighing beam counterpoise weight 51 is adjustably mounted 'upon the beam, this counterpoise Weight being in the form of a carriage to overhang the sides of the beam and supported upon the beam by rollers 52, the beam being of U-sh'ape in cross section with the edges of the opposite legs serving as tracks for the carriage rollers, as clearly shown in Figure 9. To prevent undue vibra tion of the beam as it is brought to equilibrium by the load on the conveyor a dash pot 53 is provided the lnovable member of which is connected to the beam, as at 54. (Figures 1, 3, 7 and 8). To prevent undue deflection of the weighing beam by an overload or underload on the conveyor auxiliar counterpoise weight is provided normally ree of the beam and adapted to be applied to or picked up by the beam. This auxiliary counterpoise weight comprises a pair of counterweighted levers 54, 54" pivotally supported at 55, the counterweight being so arranged as to normally assume a position below the center of gravity. (Figure 8.) The levers 54', 54" pivotally carry supplemental counterweight levers 56, 56. A rod 57 suspended from the weighing beam is arranged with a pair of hooks 58, 58', the hook 58 being adapted to pick up and apply the supplemental counterpoise with the lever 56 to the beam and through said lever upon further deflection of the beam apply the auxiliary counterpoise weight lever 54 to the beam when the beam is deflected downward or to underload position, while the hook 58 is adapted to pick up and apply the ysupplemental counterpoise weight lever 56 to the beam fand through said lever apply the auxiliary counterpoise weight lever 54 to the beam when the beam is defiected upward or to overload position. It will be obvious that as the beam is brought to equilibrium it will be relieved of the weight of said auxiliary and supplemental counterpoise weight. The position of the counterpoise weight 51 upon the. weighing beam is in accordance with the required or determined quantity of material to be handled or fed by the conveyor to counterbalance such load, and the quantity of material to be fed by the conveyor may be variable and changed at will by the adjustment of the counterpoise upon the beam.

To maintain the load transported by the conveyor at a constant predetermined value to counterbalance the weight of the counter poise upon the beam, the position of which counterpoise weight upon the beam is in accordance with the weight of such predetermined load, means are provided to adjust the closure 46 for the hopper outlet to vary the area thereof to increase or decrease the discharge of material from the hopper to the conveyor by a variation in the load transported by the conveyor and the moving of the weighing beam out of equilibrium by an underload or overload upon the portion of the conveyor supported by said beam. This means comprises a rack 60 fixed to the gate 46 to extend in a vertical direction and meshing with a pinion 6l fixed to a shaft 62 of' differential or casing C (Figures 20 and 21) fixed upon the framework and in which casing the shaft 62 is journaled and has a head 63 fixed thereto within the casing, said head carrying a pair of pinions 64, 64 to rotate on axes arranged eccentric to the axis of the shaft 62 and diametrically opposite to each other, said pinions meshing with a pinion 65 fixed to a shaft 66 journaled coaxially with the shaft 62 in the hub of a head 67 rotatably supported in the casing in concentric relation to said shaft, said head'carrying an internal gear 68 with which the pimons 64, 64 also mesh for the purpose of allowing a hand wheel to simultaneousl adjust the closure gate of the hopper an' the counterpoise weight on the scale beam as is fully described hereinafter. A gear 69 fixed to the shaft 66 meshes with a rack 70 fixed at opposite ends to a pair of heads 71, 7l' connected in spaced relation to a connecting member 72 (Figure 15), said heads and connecting member constituting a carriage for a drum 7 3 supported at opposite ends in the carriage heads to have rotative movement. Each carriage head rotatably carries fianged rollers or wheels 74 whereby the carriage with the drum is mounted u on the rails 75 carried by standards 76 fixe upon the support 44 for the weighing mechanism to have movement to and fro longitudinally of said means and by means of which movement the closure for the hopper outlet is adjusted through the gearing just described.

The drum 73 is continuously rotated and simultaneously with the rotation thereof adapted to have longitudinal movement imparted theretb. For; this purpose there .1s provided a shaft 77 of rectangular shape 1n cross section journaled at opposite ends in standards 78 fixed upon the support or shelf 44. This shaft extends through the drum and is mounted concentrically or axially of the drum by heads 79 engaging in ,the ends of the drum and whereby the drum and shaft 77 are rotatably supported in the carriage heads 71, 71. The drum supporting heads 79 also serve as carriers for anti-friction bearings for the drum upon the shaft, said bearings consisting of anged rollers gearing carried in a housing l 80, a` pair of said rollers engaging at opposite sides of the shaft with the rollers at oneV end of the d-rum arranged to engage with the shaft in angular relation to the rollers at the opposite end of the drum. The rollers are mounted in opposite recesses 81 in the drum carrying heads and retained therein by releasable ca s 82 (Figure 17). The drum is rotate from the motor M by a sprocket chain 83 (Figures 2, 8, 11, 12, 18 and 19) passing around a sprocket wheel on the motor. shaft and a shaft 84, and a sprocket chain 85 assing around a second sprocket wheel on s aft 84 and a sprocket wheel 86 on a shaft 87 with a gear 88 on said latter shaft meshing with a pinion 89 on the drum carrying shaft 77.

The adjustment of the closure or gate 46 for the hopper outlet is eiected through the longitudinal movement of the drum and the drum -rack 7() meshing with the gear 69 connected with the gate through the differential gearing in gear casing C, and longitudinal movement of the drum .is effected by and in accordance with variations of the load on the conveyor and the moving of the weighing beam out of equilibrium by an underload or overload on the conveyor and maintained against movement when the beam vis in equilibrium. For this purpose a. friction traveling member'in the form of a disk 90 frictionally contacts with, the drum (Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 11). This disk is mounted in a bifurcation 91 of a yoke shaped carrier 92 to rotate on a horizontal axis, and the disk carrier having oppositely extending studs 92', 92" (Figures 7 and 8) whereby it ismounted to have movement on an 'axis transverse to the axis of the disk in a portion of a bracket 93 overhanging the drum and a portion extending below-the drum, said bracket being lixed upon the shelf 44. The disk is maintained in contact with the drum by gravity by the weight of the disk and its carrier and is frictionally driven from the drum. When said disk is traveling in a direction at right angles to the drum it will operate to hold the drum against longitudinal movement. However, when the direction of travel of the disk is changed in angular relation to the axis of the drum it will exert a thrust upon the drum to move it axially, the direction of the movement of the drumbeing in accordance with the angular relation of the disk to the drum. The direction of travel of the disk is controlled by the position of the weighing beam 47 effected by the load upon the conveyor. The disk is connected to the weighing beam to elect changes in thefdirection of travel thereof by the deflection of the beam by a link 94 pivotally connected at one end wit-h'the stud 92" of the disk carrying yoke and an arm 95 rigid with and extending downward from the weighing beam in line with the axis of the pivotal support of the beam. Should there be an overload upon the conveyor thereby deilecting the weighing .beam upward the friction disk support and thereby the disk will be adjusted to travel in a direction in angular relation to the axis-of the drum to exert an axial thrust upon and move the drum axially in the direction of the arrow indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 6, and thereby through the gearing connection of the drum with the gate move the gate in a direction to reduce the area of the hopper outlet and a consequent reduction in the discharge of material from the hopper to the conveyor, such adjustment of the gate being eiected until the load on the conveyor is such as to bring the weighing beam into position of equilibrium. When the load on the conveyor is under that cf a predetermined weight, this being determined by the positioning of the counterpoise weight upon the beam, and the long end of the beam is deiected downward the friction disk will be adjusted to travel in a direction in angular relation to the drum to cause it to be moved in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in Figures 1, 2 and 6 effecting movement of the closure gate for the hopper outlet to increase the area thereof and an increase in the discharge of the material from the hopper to the conveyor, this increased discharge being continued until the beam is again brought into equilibrium by the load upon the conveyor. From the foregoing it will be obvious that a load of a predetermined weight will be constantly fed and delivered by the conveyor, and the weight of the load and the quantity of material fed by the conveyor` will be in accordance with the position of the counterpoise weight upon the weighing beam.

Means are provided to adjust the counterpoise weight upon the weighing beam and to simultaneously adjust the closure Vfor the hopper outlet. to vary the area of said outlvl in proportional relation to the position of the counter-poise upon the beam, said means comprising a hand wheel 96 (Figures 1 to 6) arranged at the front side of the apparatus and fixed to a shaft 97, s aid shaft being operatively connected to effect movements to a counterpoise adjuster to mofe the counterpoise alon the weighing beam. The counterpoise a juster comprises an arm 99 carrying flanged rollers 1 00 whereby itis mounted upon a slideway 101 to extend in a. "ertical direction and have movement in a direction in a plane longitudinally of 'the weighing beam, the arm 99 being' connected to the counterpoise by a rod 101. Movement of the counterpoise'adjuster along the slideway of the hand wheel 96 by a rack 102 connected 101 is elected through the rotation 'l the conveyor, variable at`one end to the adjuster arm 99 and the opposite end connected to a head 99 carrying a pair of rollers 100 whereby it is mounted upon a slideway 101, the rack being connected to the hand wheel by a. train of gearing consisting of a gear 102 fixed to shaft 97, a gear 103 in mesh with the rack and intermediate pinions 104, 105 meshing with the gears 103 and 102 respectively. By the arrangement of the gearing as the hand wheel is rotated to the right the couuterpoise will be adjusted to the right or outward on the beam, and when said wheel is rotated in reverse direction the counterpoise will be adjusted in opposite direction on the beam. To simultaneously adjust the closure for the hopper outlet with the adjustment of the counterpoise weight there is provided a gear 106 on shaft 97 which meshes with a gear 107 fixed to the hub of the carrier 67 for the pinions 64 of the differential gearing in casing C (Figure 21,) whereby the rotation of the shaft 62 carrying the pinion 61 in mesh with the closure rack 60 is effected simultaneously with the rotation of the hand wheel.

As stated the conveyor is driven from the motor M and to efl'ect variations in the rate of speed of travel of the conveyor and thereby efl'ect variations in the load handled by speed driving means for the conveyor is provided. The embodiment of this driving means shown in the drawings (Figures 12 and 13) comprises a worm 108 on the motor shaft meshing with a worm wheel 109 on a shaft 110 which may constitute the motor shaft if desired. A gear 111 and a. pinion' 112 are mounted on the shaft 'to rotate therewith and have mdvement along the shaft in unison and adapted to mesh with a pinion 113 and a gear 114, respectively, on a shaft 115. Whien the pinion 112 is in mesh with gear 114 the gear 111 will be out of mesh with pinion 113 and vice versa. The shaft 115 is connected to the conveyor drum 27 by a worm 116 meshing with a Worm wheel 117 on a. shaft 118 having a flexible coupling with the drum shaft. The reducing gearing may be enclosed in in Figure 2.- A

To indicate the weight of the' material fed by the conveyor per unit of length of travel of the conveyor a scale beam 119 is providedh suitably calibrated or graduated relative tio which an indicator 120 is moved simultaneously with the adjustment ofthe poise `'weight 51 on the weighing beam, this indicator being mounted upon the head 99 to participate in t-he movement imparted thereto by the hand wheel 96. It willbe obvious that when the conveyor is traveling at one',y rate of speed the quantity of material fed will be different than when the conveyor is traveling at another rate of speed, and

said rock shaft.

the opposite end of which a housing 119 as shownl a multiple calibrated or graduated scale beam is therefore provided. For this purpose the scale beam 119 is of rectangular shape in cross section and is pivotally supported at opposite ends in brackets 121, 122 fixed to the framework, the bracket 122 also being arranged to slidably support a rack 123 with which a pinion 124 carried by the scale beam meshes. )Vhile calibra tions may be arranged on the four sides of the scale beam, in the present instance where only two changes in the rate of speed of travel of the conveyor may be effected only two of the sides are calibrated. Adjustmentof the change speed gears 111, 112 is effected by a pivotally supported hand lever 125 to the support of which an arm 126 is fixed to participate in the movement of the. lever and whereby the lever is connected by a link 127 to an arm 128 of a rock shaft 129 (Figure 1) to which a shifter 130 for the change speed gearslll, 112 is connected by a rod 131 connected tol a second arm 132 on To effect adj ustmentl of the scale beam 119 simultaneously with the shifting of the change speed gears the rack 123 in mesh with the pinion of the scale beam is connected by a link 133 to the arm 126 movable with the hand lever 125.

To hold the roller 39 by means of which a portion of the conveyor is suspended from the weighing beam from movement in a di- -rection longitudinally of the conveyor as the conveyor travels thereover with the possibility of exerting strains upon the weighing beam other than those effected by the load upon the conveyor as it travels over said roller a pair of restraining links 134 are provided one end of which links are connected to the roller supporting links 40 and the opposite ends connected to a fixed part of' the framework (Figure 13). To prevent side swaying of said conveyor supA porting roller 139 the roller supporting links 40 are extended beyond their connection Iwith the roller and connected by a rod 135, said rod being pivotallyconneeted intermediate its ends to one end of a rod 136 rod is also connected to a fixed part of the framework.

To feed material in predetermined quantities from a source of supply to a place of use in proportional relation to another quantity of materia-l fed to said place of use from another source of supply means are provided to intermittently actuate the conveyor B, which is effected by connecting the driving motor with the source. of electricity and opening' theV circuit of the motor to stop the motor and conveyor after a predetermined length of travel of the conveyor. In Figure 24 there is diagrammatically illustrated feeding mechanism for this purpose wherein the feeding means hereinbefore described is represented in a general l lo being arranged way at D to deliver material to a place of use indicated as a bin E which may have a hopper outlet, and in feeding material to constitute one of the aggregates in cement making leading vto' a disintegrating apparatus (not shown). To feed another material or materials to the place of use E a second traveling conveyor is provided, designated in a general way by F and as of of the belt type. The source of supply from which the material is being delivered is illustrated as being railway cars G from which the material is delivered to a hopper I having an outlet arranged to deliver material to the conveyor F.

The intermittent actuation of the conveyor mechanism D is controlled by the quantity of material fed by the conveyor F whereby to feed material by said conveyor D proportional to the quantity of material fed by the conveyor F. For this purpose means are provided to determine the quantity ofmaterial fed by the conveyor F, which means is operative by the rate of speed of travel of the conveyor and the load'transported thereby. This means comprises a mechanical integrator of the type disclosed in Patent No. 954,870 granted to me April 12th, 1910, and illustrated in a general way in Figure 25 and represented by J in Figure 24. As the construction and operation of this inte rator mechanism is fully illustrated and atent ldetailed illustration and description 1s not deemed to be necessary. This integrator includes a traveling element in the form of a belt and a rotary carrier in the form of a disk 137 carrying a series of integratinv wheels upon its periphery to successiveily frictionally engage the traveling element and the mountin for said carrier to adapt t e carrier to turn in a plane parallel to the friction surface with mechanism toregister the rotation of the disk or vcarrier for the integrating wheels. When the disk has made a complete revolution a predetermined quantity of material will have been fed by the conveyor. The feeding means D is adapted to feed a predeterminedquantity of material which 1s proportional to the quantity of material fed by-the feeding means F, and the feeding of material by the feeding means D is` controlled bythe quantity .of material fed by I the feeding means F. For this pur ose a time switch is provided to control t e actuation of a switch, designated in a general way at T, for connecting the motor M into and cutting it out of circuit with a source of electricity, the time switch being connected in circuit with electric circuit closing means forming a part of the integrator of the feeding means F. The circuit for closing the circuit of the time switch is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 26.

escribed in my said` The time switch comprises a series of three disks f, g and h of insulator material, such as fibre, and two airs of contact heads 138, 138 and 139, 139', the heads 138, 138' being electrically connected and the heads 139, 139 also being electrically connested. Each of said heads with the exception of head 139 is undercut or recessed at diametrically opposite points (indicated at h in Figure 26) to provide each of said heads with what is in' effect diametrically oppositely arranged head 139 has more than one-half of its circumference reduced to arrange said head in effect with a single contact terminal portion i. The contact head carrying disks are mounted on a shaft s rotatably supported in the walls of an enclosing housing for said switch mounted upon the su porting shell' 44 for the Weighing beam. ontact termipals 140, 140 and 141, 141 carriedr by brackets c fixed to and inculated from a bar 143 and yieldingly urged by springs d in a direction to contact with the head terminals h to have rubbing contact therewith as clearly shown in Figure The contact carrying shaft a is driven from the shaft 87 which is geared to and drives the drum rotating shaft 77 by a pinion 144 on shaft 87 meshing with a gear 145 on a shaft 146 and havmg a pinion 147 fixed `thereon meshing with a gear 148 on shaft s. The integrator disk 137 has a terminal contact v149 connected in circuit with a source of current supply, such as a battery represented in a conventional manner at b and with which contact one of a pair o terminal contacts 151, 152 arranged diametrically opposite the axis of the integrator disk are adapted to contact. The contact 152 is electrically connected to the contact maker 141 by conductor j, while the contact- 151 is electrically connected through conductor k to a contact maker 153 pivotally carried by a bracket o fixed on and insulated from a bar 143 and -urged to position in predetermined relation toward the contacth'ead 139 by a spring d', said contact 153 being adapted to co-operate with the terminal i of contact head 139 to close the circuit.r The contact 141 is connected to one side of the source of current supply b by conductor Z, the contact 149 of the integrator wheel being connected to the other side of` the battery by a conductor m with an actuating coil 154 for a circuit .closer 155' interposed therein. The circuit 'closer 155 is interposed in a conductor 156 connected to contact 140'and conductor m having a coil 157 of an electromagnetically operated circuit closer 157 interposed therein, said circuit closer being connectedin the contact terminals; thcare pivotally circuit of the motor M with a source of elecundercut with the course of current supply I), shown in the present instance for illustrative purposes through the Contact 141 to conductor n. The circuit of the time switch adapted to be closed upon-each one-half revolution of the integrator wheel 137. Assuming that five hundred pounds is to be fed by the feeding means D to each two thousand pounds fed by the feeding means F. Also assun'iing that contact is made between the contact head 139 and contact 141 as two thousand pounds is transported over the integrator by the feeding means F when contact head 149 of the integrator wheel will be brought into contact with the contact-..152 closing the circuit for the time switch through the conductors Z, m and contact 141 which is in contact with contact head 139, the latter as heretofore stated being electrically connected with contact head 139', the closing of the circuit energizing coil 154 which actuates circuit closer 155'` through contact 149 and the connection of the latter with the battery b by conductors Z and 15G thereby actuating the circuit closing means 157, 157 and connecting the motor M in circuit with a source of electricity which motor operates the feeder means l, and as the limit switch is actuated from said motor the switch will be actuated until the contact heads 138', 139, and 139 are positioned with the contacts 140', 141 and 141 engaging the undercut portions in said contact heads and out of contactthere-l with opening the circuit through coil 154 when circuit closer 155 will move to circuit opening position shown in full lines. In order that the circuit may not be broken with a consequent stopping of the motor M when the contact 149 of the integrating Wheel moves out of contact with contact 152 and before the limit switch has completed a one-half revolution, a holding circuit is provided which is in the nature of a shunt circuit connected in circuit with the conductors Z, on, and comprising a conductor o connected with the conductor m at one terminal of coil 154 and with the contact 140 which co-operates with the contact head 138, which, as stated, is electricallyY connected with the contact head 138', the conductor o being connected through said head and the contact 140 as hereinbefore described with the conductor Z.- The conductor o has a circuit closer 155 connected therein which is connected with the circuit closer 155 to be actuated in unison therewith by the coil 154. This holding circuit will be broken simultaneously with the opening of the circuit through the contact heads 140-, 141 and 141 by contact 140 coming opposite to an portion of the contact head 138. Should the integrating mechanism stop with the contact 149 in contact with Contact 152 there will be no repetition of the feeder mechanism B since upon the completion of a one-half revolution of the time switch contact heads contact will be broken through conductor 141 with the terminal contact 'i and contact head 1239.

Upon the feeding or delivery of a successive two thousand pounds by the feeding means F the integrator"wheel 137 will be advanced a further one-half revolution bringing the contact 149 into contact with contact 151 connected by conductor /c with contact 153 when the circuit will be established through contact e' of contact head 1539 and contact 153 and the time switch in circuit with the conductor m when the circuit of the motor M is again established in a manner as hereinbefore described. The establishing of the circuit in this manner is permissible since the area of the contact terminal portion z' of contact head 139 is such that as it passes out of contact with contact'. 141 it is approaching contact 153 and sutlicient momentun'r is given to the feeder mechanism B even after the circuit `of the. driving motor M is broken to bring said contact terminal z' into contact with the contact 153.

The travel of the conveyor ofthe feeder I) is so timed with' relation to the rotation of the time switch, and the delivery of the material through the hopper H to the con veyor B is so regulated by the positioning of the closure for the hopper outlet by the load upon the conveyor B so that iive hundred pounds of materialwill be fed during the interval of actuationof said feeding means. The travel of the conveyor of feeding means F is continuous and during the feeding of material by feeder D material fed by the feeding means F will actuate the integrator and after two thousand pounds has been fed the feeding means I) will again be set in operation in a manner as above'set forth.

.IVhile I have illustrated and described one embodiment of carrying out the invention it is to be understood that the construction and arrangement of parts may be variously modified, and that portions of the invcntion may be used without others and come within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In apparatus for the'purpose specified, a hopper, weighing mechanism, including a load receiver, means to regulate the delivery of material from the hopper, and means independent of the weighing mechanism to actuate said regulating means controlled from the weighing mechanism through the load supported by the load receiver without imp osing a stress upon the weighing mechamsm.

2. In apparatus for the purpose specified, a travelling conveyor, ahopper having an outlet arranged to deliver material to the conveyor, a weighing beam arranged with means for supporting a portion of the conveyor, adjustable means for regulating the area of the outlet of the hopper, and means operative independent ot' the weighing mechanism for actuating said regulating means for the hopper out-let controlled through the deflection ot the weighing beam Without imposing a stress upon and interfering with the movement of the weighing beam.

3. In apparatus for the purpose specified, a travelling conveyor, a hopper having an outlet for delivery of material from the hopper to said conveyor, adjustable means for regulating the delivery of material from the hopper, means for actuating said adjusting means, a weighing. beam supporting portion of said conveyor, and means operable through the detiecting movement of the weighing beam imparted thereto by varia-v tions in the load carried by the portion of the conveyor supported by said beam to control the actuating means for the material delivery regulating means Awithout imposing a stress and load upon the weighing beam.

4, In apparatus for the purpose specified, a trai-'elling conveyor, a hopper having au outlet positioned for delivery of material from the hopper onto the conveyor, an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet, weighing mechanism arranged to support a portion of the conveyor, means to adjust the closure `for the hopper outlet to regulate the arca of the hopper outlet and delivery of material to the conveyor, and means to actuale said closure adjusting means controlled by the weighing mechanism as it is moved out o'f equilibrium by variations iny the load upon the conveyor Without interfering with the weighing mechanism or imposing a load thereon when the Weighing mechanism is m equilibrium.

5. In apparatus for the purpose specified, a travelling conveyor, a hopper having an outlet positioned for delivery of material to the conveyor, adjustable closure means for the hopper outlet for regulating the delivery of material from the outlet, a weighing beam arranged with means to support a portion of the conveyor and having adjustable means to maintain it in equilibrium by a load of predetermined weight upon the conveyor, and means for actuating said adjustable closure means independently of and controlled from the weighing beam by movenient thereof effected by variations in the Weight of the load upon the conveyor to regulate the delivery ot' material to the conveyor `from the hopper. n

6. In apparatus for the purpose specified, a travelling conveyor, a hopper having an outlet for the delivery of material to the conveyor, a pivoted weighing beam arranged with means to support a portion of the conveyor, adjustable counterpoise to maintain the beam in equilibrium with a load of predetermined Weight upon the conveyor, an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet, means to adjust the closure to regulate the discharge of material from the hopper, and means controlled by the movement ofthe weighing beam out of equilibrium by a. variation in the weight of the load on the conveyor to operate the closure adjusting means without interfering with the movement of the beam and thereby maintain the delivery of material by the conveyor at a constant predetermined rate.

7. In apparatus for the purpose specified, a travelling conveyor, a hopper having an outlet positioned for delivery of material from the hopper to the conveyor, an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet, a pivoted Weighing beam arranged to support a portion of said conveyor and maintained in equilibrium by a load of predetermined weight upon the conveyor, and means continuously operable independent of and controlled by the weighing beam when moved out of equilibrium without offering resistance to the movement of the beam operable to adjust the closure to vary the area of the hopper outlet to increase or decrease the quantity of material delivered from the hopper to the conveyor.

8. The combination with a travelling conveyer, of a hopper having an outlet for delivery of material from the hopper to the conveyer; a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer therefrom and maintained in equilibrium by a load on the conveyer of a predetermined weight; and means to regulate the discharge of material from the hopper to the conveyer to compensate for a variation in the weight of the material on the conveyer` including a member movable longitudinally of the Weighing beam controlled by the Weighing beam when moved out of equilibrium by a variation in the load on the conveyer without interfering with the movement of or imposing a, loa upon the weighing beam extraneous to the force imposed on the beam by the load on the conveyer.

9. The'combination of a hopper; a travelling conveyer to receive material delivered from the hopper; weighingmechanism including a Weighing beam arranged to suport a portion of the conveyer therefrom and aving adjustable counterpolse to maintain the beam in equilibrium With a load of a predetermined Weight upon the conveyer; and means to regulate the delivery of material to and maintain the load on the conveyer at such predetermined weight and delivery of material by the conveyor at a constant rate, including a member movable longltudinally of the weighing beam and the extent and direction of such movement being controlled by the movement of the weighing beam to overload or underload position by variations in the load upon the conveyer.

10. The combination with a hopper having an outlet, of an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet; a travelling conveyer to receive material from the hopper; a Weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer; adjustable counterpoise to maintain the beam in e uilibrium by a predetermined load upon t e conveyer; and means to adjust the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof and discharge of material from the hopper to the conveyer controlled by the deflection of the Weighing beam out of equilibrium, comprising a continuously rotatable member adapted to have movement longitudinal of the weighing beam and having an operative connection with the closure to adjust the closure by longitudinal movement thereof, and a member to have frictional Contact with said rotatable member and normally moving in a direction at right angles to the axis of the rotatable member when the weighing beam is in equilibrium and the direction of movement of said member adapted to be changed in angular relation to the axis of the rotatable member by and in accordance with the deflection of the weighing beam eifected by an increase or decrease of the load on the conveyer for the purpose specified.

11. The combination with a hopper having an outlet, of an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet; a travelling endless conveyer to receive material from the hopper; a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer; a counterpoise to counterbalance a predetermined load upon the conveyer and maintain the beam in equilibrium; and means to adjust the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof controlled by the deflection of the weighing beam out of equilibrium by a variation in the weight of such predetermined load, comprising a pair of continuously rotating members having an operative driving connection between the two, one of which members is axially movable and having an operative connection with the closure for the hopper outlet, and the direction of travel of the other member being adapted to be changed in angular relation to the axis of the axially movable member by and in accordance with the deflection of the weighing beam.

l2. The combination with a hopper hav.- ing an outlet, of an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet; a traveling endless conveyer to receive material from the hopper outlet; a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer; a counterpoise to counterbalance a load of a predeter mined weight upon the conveyer and maintain the beam in equilibrium; and means to adjust the closure for the hopper outlet io regulate the area thereof controlled by the y deflection of the weighing beam by a load under or over such predetermined weight upon the conveyer, comprising a to and iro longitudinally movable andcontinuously rotating member, connections from said member with the closure operable to move the closure to closing position when the member is moved in one direction and to move lthe closure to open position when the membei is moved in an opposite direction, and a member frictionally driven from said longitudinally movable member controlled by the delection of the Weighing beam effected by a variation in the load on the conveyer, and operable to exert a thrust upon and move the longitudinally movable member longitudinally and direct such movement by and in accordance with the deilection of the weighing beam by an underload or overload upon the conveyer.

13, The combination with a hopper having an outlet, of an adjust-able closure for the hopper outlet; a traveling endless conveyer to receive material from the hopper outlet; a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer; a counterpoise to maintain the beam in equilibrium with a load of a predetermined weight upon the conveyer; and means to position the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof controlled by the deflection of the weighing beam by a load under or over such predetermined Weight upon the conveyer; comprising a to and fro longitudinally movable and continuously rotating member, a member frictionally driven from said rotatable member normally traveling at right angles to the -aXis of the rotatable member and holding the latter against longitudinal movement, said member having a connection with and adjustable by the delection of the weighing beam through an overload or underload upon the conveyor to change the direction of movement of said frictionally driven member in angular relation to the axis of the rotatable member to exert a thrust upon and move 'said latter member longitudinally and control the direction of such movement, and a rack and gear connection between said rotatable and longitudinally movable member and the closure for the hopper outlet for the purpose specified. l

14. The combination with a .hopper having an outlet; of an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet; a traveling endless conveyer to receive material from the hopper outlet; a weighin l beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer; an adjustable counterpoise to maintain the beam in equilibrium with a load of a predetermined weight upon the conveyer; and means to adthe deflection of the beam to just the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof controlled by the deflection ofy the weighin beam b a load under or overv such pre etermine wei ht upon the conveyer, comprising a rotata le drum supported to have to and fro axial movement, a disk frictionally driven from the drum normally maintained in position to rotate on an axis parallel with the axis of drum and in such position maintain the latter against longitudinal movement, means controlled by the deflection of the weighing beam to adjust the disk on an axis transverse to its axis of rotation to change the direction of travel of the disk in angular rela tion to the axis of the drum to exert a thrust upon and impart longitudinal movement to and control. such movement of the drum, and a connection between said drum and closure for the hopper outlet.

15. The combination with a hopper having an outlet, of an the hopper outlet; a traveling endless conveyer to receive material from the hopper outlet; a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer and arranged with counterpoise weight to maintain' the beam in equilibrium with a load of a prede-v termined weight upon the conveyer; and means to position the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof controlled by the deflection of the wei hing beam by a load under er over such pre etermined weight upon the conveyer, comprising a rotatable drum supported to have to and fro longitudinal movement, a disk frictionally driven from the drum, a support for the disk adjustable with the disk on an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of the disk and arranged with means to normally maintain the same with the disk in position to ro tate on an axis parallel with the axis of the drum, said disk support being adjustable by change the direction of travel of the disk in. angular relation to the axis of the drum to exert athrust upon and move the drum longitudinally and control the direction of said movement, and a connection between said drum and the closure for the hopper outlet for the purpose specified.

16. The combination with a hopper having an outlet, of an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet; a traveling endless conveyer to receive material from the hopper outlet; a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of conveyer and maintained in equilibrium with a predetermined load 4u n the conveyer by counterpoise weight vt ereon; land means to position the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof controlled by the deflection of the weighing beam by a load under or over such predetermined weight upon the conveyer, comprising a rotatable drum, carriages in which adjustable closure for poise weight relat1ve to said drum is journalled at opposite ends,

tracks upon which the carriages are mounted to have longitudinal to and fro movement thereon with the drum, a disk frictionally driven from the drum and adjustable by the deflection of the beam to change the direction of travel thereof in angular relation to the axis of the drum operable to move the drum longitudinally and control the direction of such movement, and an operative connection between said drum and closure for the hopper outlet to position said closure by and in accordance with the movement of the drum to regulate the arca of the hopper outlet for the purpose specified.

17. The combination'with a hopper having an outlet, of an adjustable. closure for the hopper outlet; a traveling endless conveyer to receive material from the hopper outlet; a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the'conveyer and maintained in equilibf rium with a predetermined load upon the conveyer by counterpoise weight adjustable on the beam; and means to position the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof controlled by the deflection of the weighing beam by a load under or over such predetermined weight upon the conveyer, comprising a rotatable drum mounted disk frictionally driven from the drum and' adjustable by the deflection of the beam to change the direction of travel thereof in angular relation to the axis of the drum to move the drum longitudinally and control the direction of said movement, a rack participating in the longitudinal'movement of the drum, a gear meshing with the rack and movable to and fro by the lnovement of the rack, vand a rack and pinion connection between said gear and closure for the hopper outlet for the purpose specified.

18. .The combination with a traveling conveyer and a hopper having an outlet arranged to deliver material to the conveyer, of a weighing beam arranged to support a portion of the conveyer therefrom, adjustable poise weight to co-operate with the beam to counterbalance a load of predetermined welght upon the conveyer; an adjustable closure for the hopper outlet to vary the area thereof; and means to adjust and set the the lweighing beam and s1multaneously with the adjustment and setting of the poise weight to set the closure for the hopper outlet to regulate the area thereof proportionally to the adjustment of the poise weight and lock the poise weightV lill) 

